Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
So, my brother-in-law has a really awesome fiance named Kelly who is kind of unsure about coming to Bonnaroo in 2014. Some of the... let's just say "less than glamorous" aspects of the festival make her feel uneasy about attending. I want her to make an informed choice so I thought I'd take my propaganda campaign to Inforoo in order to make the best case.
Here's where you come in: Tell her why Bonnaroo is great and attempt to lure her into the awesome with your tales of fun, friendship and Amish Donuts. Post pictures, videos, stories, general encouragement or whatever you think makes the 'Roo so appealing. She's a cool chick and we don't want her to miss out.
So here it is, I'll start:
Dear Kelly, As you know, Daniel and I are basically obsessed with attending Bonnaroo every June. It's something that has become an important part of our relationship because it was the first vacation we ever took together. We feel that you and Nick would make an amazing addition to our Bonnaroo tribe. You might even want to make it your couple adventure in the future. There will be food, fun, music, dancing, port-o-potties and probably some sunburns. The latter two really aren't so bad with proper 'Roo prepping (more on that once we've lured you in). There are some weird things too. Maybe some stuff that you'd rather not be involved in but that's cool. Everyone is free to do pretty much whatever they want. That's the beauty of Bonnaroo. You can be whomever you please and nobody is going to judge you. You can dance like an idiot and ten random strangers will probably join you and make it a dance party. You can sing off key to your favorite song and a chorus of new friends might join in to make it a karaoke jam. It's pure beauty.
Now tickets go on sale in February so before that happens I'm going to initiate this propaganda campaign to show you how awesome it would be if you were to join us on this adventure. We think you'll really love it. I always tell people: once you go, you know. So go, it'll be so fun! And we don't have to worry about Daniel losing his mind over the lack of parking. Seriously, you can't lose!
Honestly I know this isn't the response you are looking for but the truth is Bonnaroo is not for everyone. Some people the positives outweigh the negatives. Other people would be better off saving their money and going to a city fest with showers and beds. When was the last time she went camping? Does she enjoy live music a lot? Sometimes convincing someone to go to Roo turns out great other times they are miserable and will make you miserable as well.
My best advice is inviting her to a tamer local fest or camping trip and see how it goes.
Post by tommyboy7328 on Dec 12, 2013 9:21:45 GMT -5
just aren't enough words to describe the feelings of utter joy and happiness felt on the farm. I can only imagine that it has to be what Heaven must be modeled after. I have watched every Bonnaroovideo ever posted on youtube but of course have some that are favorites because they evoke such feelings of euphoria. Here are a couple. Watch the expressions on the faces of the members of Mumford and Sons as he hollers "Bonnaroo" and the crowd goes nuts! Yes I was there to the left of the third tree somewhere it makes me so happy when I watch it that my eyes water every I watch it! ( and im not typically a very emotional person)
Post by tommyboy7328 on Dec 12, 2013 9:32:53 GMT -5
So go to YouTube and spend a few hours watchin random peoples videos of thiier trip to Bonnaroo. Thats the best way to see just ho it has impacted so many lives. Look me up anytime if you have questions or want to talk Roo as I can do that 24/7 !!!! SEE YOU ON THE FARM! PEACE BE THE JOURNEY!
Post by yougoghoul on Dec 12, 2013 11:29:06 GMT -5
Kelly - Bonnaroo is this crazy, magical, wacky place where anything and everything can and does happen. The beauty about Bonnaroo though is that you can experience the crazy in any way that you choose! Your crazy might be camping out for 4 or 5 days in the middle of a field with tens of thousands of other people (from all walks of life) with port-o-potties and no showers (well you can shower if you pay or get creative)! Your crazy might be seeing your favorite musician in a setting like no other and singing along realizing you are probably far from the only one and far from the loudest, craziest, sweatiest person in the group. Your crazy might be discovering musicians that you have never even heard of before and falling in love with the music (and then going home and listening to it on repeat for an entire year). Your crazy might be discovering that you live for this experience and would not be able to think about not attending year after year and missing out on all of the CRAZY!
Attachment Deleted My first Bonaroo - I went with 'acquaintances' that ended up being my BEST FRIENDS! Experiencing everything for the first time created a bond like no other! (These people ended up being in my wedding and I can't imagine my life without them)! -Finding out what a 'cup shower' is when you don't want to wait in line or pay for a shower -Finding out what 110 degrees in a dusty field is like -Finding out how much love you can have for a bandanna is like -Finding out what surviving on 2 hours of sleep and walking back to camp from a show at 7am is like (and then doing it over and over and over) -Finding out what laughing until you cry (big elephant tears) and feel like you can't breath (either from lack of sleep or just TRUE JOY) is like -Finding out what real, true, forever friendship and love is like! (It takes a large amount of caring, sharing, and togetherness to get through and enjoy every minute of Bonnaroo)
Since that first year our group has grown every single year! We keep adding more and more friends who (after hearing our love stories about Bonnaroo) decide this is something that they HAVE to experience.
Post by FortSteuben on Dec 19, 2013 11:33:09 GMT -5
Kelly,
2014 will be my forth Bonnaroo and I cannot imagine my life without this great festival year after year. If you chose to attend, their will no doubt be negatives along the way. For my first Roo, my crew and I had a miserable car ride down (5 people in a mid-size SUV.) We waited 5.5 hours to get into the gates and then got some of our "supplies" confiscated at the security checkpoint. We were extremely under prepared (because of the lack of space in our vehicle), and spent four days in 105 degree heat index temperatures without adequate supplies. Despite all of these hardships, the second I left Manchester, I knew I wanted to go back. Bonnaroo allows you to express yourself in ways that may be judged or looked down upon in regular society. It allows you experience diversity, not only in musical genres but in the people that attend the festival as well. It gives you the opportunity to learn about yourself and the people who experience this great festival with you. Bonnaroo will give you crazy memories and inside jokes that will last you and your friends a lifetime.
I remember my first year, seeing My Morning Jacket for the first time (they became my favorite band and have converted many friends into big fans); Seeing the gold confetti/LED stuff falling for the sky in awe between acts on the Main Stage, then crying while belting out “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire at the top of my lungs along with thousands of others who I have never met.
I remember coming back in 2012 with two more first time Roo’ers in our crew and showing them how great the farm was. I loved hearing their stories from each night and how much they enjoyed their Bonnaroo experience.
My 2013 experience was the most memorable of all. Throughout the year more and more people from my hometown wanted to attend. Many of them brought friends from their respective colleges to join us. By the time June came around we had a 30 person camp and 2/3 of the people I have never met before. The whole time was just non-stop fun. Getting to know these people, where they are from, their career goals, and their favorite music and live music experiences. Having a two hour jam session and sing-long on Saturday morning, coming back to camp as the sun came up on Sunday as seeing a good majority of the campsite still awake and telling stories of our epic night. The whole experience was more than I expected and left a lasting impact on me and my attitude toward life going forward.
When I left in 2013, there were some people that I bonded with that I knew I would probably never see again, but I was thankful for meeting them and experiencing this great time with them. There was some that live far away from me that I still keep in touch with and still go to other festivals and shows with. My close friends that I went with became my best friends, and we constantly still reminisce on Bonnaroo 2013 and keep each other up to date on upcoming shows. Live music and the Bonnaroo experience has given us an unbelievable bond that people who have not gone do not understand.
Overall with Bonnaroo, there will be tough times. The weather and dust may make you a bit uncomfortable, but the overall experience should be positive as long as you go into it with an open mind and a desire to have a great time. Meet new people, discover new music, do something crazy that you normally would not do. I hope that you choose to attend this great festival and have the experiences that many here on inforoo are talking about.
I don't know what else to tell you other than just do it. It will be expensive. It will be hotter than hell. It will be dusty. It will rain, maybe a lot. It will be exhausting. It will overwhelming. It will be terrifying. It will be crowded. It will be loud. And it will be gross...
But it will also be fun. It will be delicious. It will be life-altering. It will be great times with friends. It will be a bond that you share with those friends (and about 80,000 other people) that can't be equaled. It will be memories for the rest of your life. It will be on your mind for 364 days until you go for your second time. Most importantly though, it will be worth it. Every little negative you can think of won't come close to equaling what will you get out of it.
Bacon said it best. Bonnaroo is not for every. 4 days/nights of camping is not fun for some, matter of fact it down right sucks and anybody who says different is not telling the truth. We all do not go for that, we love the music, the people, the vibe, and the magic so much, we will put up with not so comfortable living situations; you are camping in a cow field next to the interstate in Tennessee in the summer.
Kelly, do you like or love music? Do not and I repeat, DO NOT GO TO BONNAROO For someone else! ONLY GO TO BONNAROO because YOU want to.
As bacon and Scrog have mentioned, Bonnaroo isn't fer everybody. A friend of a friend had his first and only 'Roo in 2010 and he just didn't have a good time. The heat, and lack of sleep just weren't his bag of chips. However he is the only person I know of personally that did not have a fantastic time! 2014 will mark my 8th straight 'Roo, and I've never looked back since year one. 2007 was still the hottest and dustiest year in my opinion. And my friends and I were horribly unprepared! But by Monday mornin' on the 10 hour drive home I knew I'd be back the next year! Not only have I made tons of new friends through Inforoo, but I keep up with several campmates from years past. The experience will likely be life changin', again as others have said. But if you're not very into live music or campin'...it might just not be your thang. On the other hand it might and very well would be amazeballs.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Dec 21, 2013 15:58:08 GMT -5
Dear Kelly,
I wanna start by saying that I have met Daniel and Kayla and think they are both beyond AMAZINGLY GOOD PEOPLE. We need more people like that in the world. I would like to take this moment to tell you about about a place that I have come to love called Bonnaroo. Bonnaroo is a music festival where you can be yourself, hang with great friends, listen to some of the best live music ever and have a lifetime of memories wrapped up in 4 days. There truly is no place I would rather be.
Here are some things you need to answer before you even consider going.
1. Do you like camping? (Unless you do a RV or use a motel, camping will be involved. With proper planning and Inforoo guidance, this can actually be quite fun. However, if you absolutely hate camping, this could be a major drawback. If you get an EZ-UP and some tarps or sheets, your campsite can be quite comfy to hang out at!)
2. Can you handle the Tenn. heat in June? (This is the number one reason my GF does not go to Bonnaroo. She has very fair skin and burns to a crisp very easily. Again, with proper planning it can be tackled but it still will prolly be fairly hot. Drink water all the time.)
#. I know if you go, you will camping in access (assuming you and Nick will be going with Daniel and Kayla) so that will cut down on some walking but there still is walking involved so be prepared for that as well.
Now that we got the big things out of the way, let me tell you what Bonnaroo can offer you that is a POSITIVE. A chance to see live music and experience something that has moved me personally to dance as well as brought me to tears. There is nothing quite like seeing music with a group! There is always something going on at Bonnaroo.
I too was a little scared of going at first but now there is pretty much nothing that will keep me away from the farm. I have heard such great music and met so many great people that it literally feels like home to me. Inforoo has also become a second home for me as well with all the info they help me with to get ready each year. Inforoo is a community within itself that I proudly say that I associate with!
Every experience is different and unique, Some people only do late night shows, some crash out by midnight. Some take "pills" and other things to help with the experience, some do not. Some people only see "big" acts, some gamble on unknown acts. The beauty of Bonnaroo is that there literally is something for EVERYONE. So many different types of music to choose from (My favorite part is that some of my favorite acts now I knew nothing about until seeing them at Bonnaroo). There is a comedy tent if you are in to comedians, they have a cinema tent that offers so many cool and different shows. So many different types of amazing food. The atmosphere cannot be described in words. You have to feel it in your blood by being there to truly appreciate what it means. I have always had a good time at Bonnaroo.
The only thing Bonnaroo is missing is you. Take a chance and make the plunge. 4 days of utter music bliss. Plus you can become a Pondo Army member too (ask Kayla or Daniel about that lol) You can always come up on Inforoo.com to get artist info and Bonnaroo info as well. Plus Kayla has a wealth of knowledge as well.
I look forward to meeting you and and Nick on the farm in June (if you decide to go).
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
My first Bonnaroo (and festival) in 2009 was the first time I've ever participated in setting up a tent and then sleeping in it. Seriously, I was 33 years old and slept outside for the first time in my life. Also, I can safely say that my finger nails -- and toenails -- have never been so dirty. I hope it was dirt. I'm not totally high maintenance, but I've been known to wear the wrong shoes at the wrong time for the sake of fashion, and I brought makeup to Bonnaroo once. The only girl I know more girly than me is my daughter. I'm also a germophobe. A lot of people would have me in mind when they say "Bonnaroo isn't for everyone." With that said, I do love music and adventure, and I can handle a small amount of discomfort and inconvenience as long as it's fun. I researched like crazy, even though I went with a vet, and made my own list. Next year will be my 6th Bonnaroo in a row, and I couldn't imagine summer without music festivals. I actually went to seven this year! If your sister-in-law-to-be can take care of herself and isn't whiny (which is totally different than wine-y. Wine-y is good!) and capable of having fun, I don't see why she shouldn't just go! It's only four days, and she can pack whatever is necessary to keep her comfortable. I use a bathroom tent with a shower and toilet, bottled water (which I never use at home) because it's easier, ugly yet super comfortable shoes, tons of 100 spf sunscreen (I don't care that it doesn't work better over a certain spf. It makes me feel better!), nail kit (don't want a repeat of that nail situation I mentioned earlier!) a really comfortable air mattress and an open mind with a positive attitude. I actually bring a lot more than that, but those things are necessary for me personally. I'd be happy to share wimpy-girl camping festival packing list. Yes, Bonnaroo is dirty, loud, and big; but it's also complete and total freedom, a real break from real life. It would be such a shame to miss out on an amazing community, more shows than you could imagine in one weekend, a sense of accomplishment when your stuff doesn't get wet when it rains (and it will) because you did such an awesome job of setting up your site, new friends and artists, and that itch to go back for 360 days afterwards because using a port-o-potty a couple times a day sucks.
Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here tonight, boys and girls. That's what you've earned here, tonight. One festival. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this festival. Not tonight. Tonight, we party with 'em. Tonight, we stay with 'em, and we shut them down because we can! Tonight, we are the greatest music lovers in the world. You were born to be music lovers -- every one of ya. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time -- is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearin' about what a great music festival Glastonbury has. Screw 'em! This is your time!!
it makes me so happy when I watch it that my eyes water every I watch it! ( and im not typically a very emotional person)
